Big Tex turns 50

In keeping with our theme of giant statues of men today this proud Grad of UT and son of the Alamo would like to send a shout out to Big Tex on his 50th birthday.

For all of you who have never been west of the Hudson River, Big Tex is the 52 foot mechanical cowboy that sends out a great big �H-o-w-d-y Folks� to all the visitors of the Texas State Fair, which begins this weekend. He�s as much a part of the fair as a corn dog and a bottle of Lone Star.

Yee Haw.

To celebrate the BIG 5-Oh, Tex has gotten himself a spiffy new birthday suit. Fort Worth's Williamson-Dickie will provide Big Tex with:

A red, white and blue cowboy shirt, (size 100 180/181)

Denim jeans, (283-inch waist, 200-inch inseam. The pants alone require 72 yards of denim and weigh in at 65 pounds)

A touch of understated flair in a red bandana with silver tips and a shiny, 29" x 45" oval belt buckle emblazoned with the familiar Dickies horseshoe logo.

Boot Town furnished his sensational new size 70, 7 feet, 7 inches tall boots.

And check out the 75 gallon Stetson!

Big Tex's clothing has changed many times in the last five decades, as well, from a candy-striped shirt for the "Yankeedoodle Dandy" State Fair in 1975, to a U.T.-orange shirt in 1982, to a 15'-by-60', 300-pound Mexican serape in 1965.

At 50, Tex is no longer a young whippersnapper, so Dallas artist Jerry Giles has added touches of gray to his hair and wrinkles to his face and hands.

"See we've got some crow's feet showing on the corner of his eyes," said Mr. Giles, who was on hand for Friday�s grand opening to check his work in the outdoor light. "I think it needs a little more."

The U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps will join in a cake and music gathering for Big Tex on the fair's opening day, when he also will receive an AARP membership card.

"We haven't quite worked out how he will receive it," said fair spokeswoman Nancy Wiley

Tex, back in the 50s

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